Community Partners

L.O.U. Volunteer Connection

Lafayette-Oxford-University Volunteer Connection allows access to a variety of volunteer opportunities in the community and serves as community nonprofits and organizations’ resource for locating and recruiting volunteers when needed for projects and events. By working and building a strong network of individuals, nonprofits and businesses, Volunteer Connection helps improve the Oxford and Lafayette community. Volunteer Connection helps citizens connect to an ongoing menu of volunteer opportunities for a broad diversity of community-based nonprofit partners. Volunteer Connection’s mission is to develop, promote and support volunteerism for Lafayette-Oxford-University. Visit L.O.U. Volunteer Connection for more information.

LOU Reads and The Campaign for Grade Level Reading

The Campaign for Grade Level Reading is a network of national and local civic leaders, policymakers, advocates, community organizations, and everyday people which works to strengthen community literacy. Local campaigns work to assure quality teaching for every child in every setting, every day, community-driven efforts to address major barriers to third grade reading proficiency, and a seamless, outcomes-accountable system of care, services, and family supports for children, from birth through third grade. The McLean Institute works with the United Way, local school districts, and other community partners to support the local LOU Reads campaign.

LOU Excel by 5 Coalition

The LOU Excel by 5 Coalition is a community-wide coalition focused on ensuring that all children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life. The McLean Institute partners with this coalition which consists of the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County, and a variety of community partners including individuals and organizations from throughout our community. The LOU Excel by 5 Coalition is guided in its work by the statewide non-profit Excel by 5, which in spring 2013 certified the LOU community as child-friendly.

The United Way of Oxford and Lafayette County

The United Way of Oxford & Lafayette County has promoted the wellbeing of the Lafayette-Oxford-University community for more than 40 years. From its earliest days, UWOLC has improved lives by mobilizing individuals, organizations, and workplaces to advance the common good. Since 1970, UWOLC has raised and invested over $9 million in the Lafayette-Oxford-University community. UWOLC has supported dozens of non-profits as they strive to meet the health and human service needs of county residents, while also coordinating coalitions to prevent and respond to deep-rooted community problems. For almost half a century, UWOLC has served as a unifying force in our community, bringing people together to make a meaningful difference. By promoting giving, advocacy, and volunteerism, and through sincere collaborations with countless partners, UWOLC makes a real impact in people’s lives–every single day.

The United Way of Oxford and Lafayette County supports Horizons at the University of Mississippi and LOU Saves.

CREATE Foundation

The CREATE Foundation is the region’s premier philanthropic resource regarding comprehensive charitable planning for individuals, nonprofits, communities, and businesses.  Working together with fund donors, grant recipients, organizations and communities, the Foundation is a powerful catalyst for building charitable resources for our region.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Mississippi

The mission of Catholic Charities is to be a visible sign of Christ’s love by helping those who are unable to help themselves; the poor and vulnerable, especially children, women, and families. The Catholic Charities office in Vardaman, MS, has worked with multiple McLean Institute programs

Mississippi Development Authority

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is the state of Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency, with approximately 300 employees engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers throughout Mississippi. The agency works to recruit new business to the state and retain and expand existing Mississippi industry and business. MDA also provides technical assistance to the state’s entrepreneurs and small businessmen and women and oversees programs that support Mississippi’s minority and women-owned businesses. In addition, the agency provides Mississippi’s corporate citizens with export assistance, manages the state’s energy programs and oversees programs that help its communities become more competitive. The agency also promotes Mississippi as a tourism destination and supports the creative economy and film industry.

Tutwiler Community Education Center

The Tutwiler Community Education Center, a body of local community people of all races, occupations and ages, is dedicated to the growth and development of the community of Tutwiler and surrounding areas by developing programs and events in response to the ideals, dreams and ideas of the members of the community so that each person may be filled with pride and hope for themselves and for their community.

Emmett Till Memorial Commission of Tallahatchie County

The Emmett Till Memorial Commission was established by the Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors for the purpose of fostering racial harmony and reconciliation; to seek federal, state, and private funds and grants to initially restore the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi; to explore the restoration of other buildings and sites of historical value; and to promote educational tours of the courthouse and other sites in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi.

Tri-County Workforce Alliance

TCWA is a non-profit organization covering Bolivar, Coahoma, and Quitman counties.  TWCA’s goal is to build the economy of these counties by helping to develop a competitive workforce, reduce unemployment, and promote systemic change within the educational system.  The program objectives are to:  l) enhance and maintain the highest levels of diverse skills among the area’s current workforce, 2) provide unemployed and underemployed adults with the necessary job and entrepreneurial skills, and 3) create a smoother transition for high school students seeking to enter the job market upon graduation.